The two main presidential candidates expressed caution on growing anti-American sentiment stemming from an accident involving a USFK armored vehicle, which saw the death of two middle school girls. The Grand National Party's Lee Hoi-chang camp worried that the sentiment would propel young voters to support the Millennium Democratic Party's Roh Moo-hyung, and so got Lee to call repeatedly for an apology from President George W. Bush, and a revision of the Status of Forces Agreement.

However, some GNP members feel Lee should not do this, as the anti-American sentiment is against the national interest. They say Lee should oppose this, while expressing his sorrow for the girls' death and he is expected to visit the parents of the two girls. Lee urged the US government to adopt a sincere attitude to the incident on Sunday, when he signed a petition and criticized the government for taking no responsibility.

On the other hand, the MDP is using the anti-American sentiment through newspaper advertisements, while Roh keeps himself distant from the incident, giving the impression he is thinking only of the national interests. In Daegu, Roh called for a revision of SOFA and a presidential apology, but did not attend a mourning ceremony, telling reporters he did not want to use the two girls' deaths for his campaign.

The MDP held a low-key mourning ceremony attended by 100 party workers. Roh is also to visit the parents of the deceased.

(Choi Joon-seok, jschoi@chosun.com )